Childcare options in Papamoa

Welcome to Pāpāmoa Kindergarten

Located right next door to Te Akau ki Papamoa Primary School on Doncaster Drive, Pāpāmoa Kindergarten boasts a stunning outdoor environment where tamariki/children can thrive and connect with nature.

We are extremely passionate about Education for Sustainability (EfS) and a strong focus of our programme is developing childrens' knowledge and understanding about caring for the environment. As a result of our passion and commitment to EfS we were one of the first Kindergartens in New Zealand to achieve the prestigious Green-Gold EnviroSchools status.

Our kindergarten philosophy developed in consultation with our whānau is based upon six pou/foundational posts. Whanaungatanga/relationships, ako/teaching & learning, wairuatanga/spirituality, manakitanga/kindness & generosity, rangatiratanga/leadership, and social justice are the posts we believe reflect the very essence of our place.

Our very experienced teaching team places a strong emphasis on providing an authentic, inclusive learning programme that caters for and reflects all childrens' needs and interests.  We endeavor to build learning power in our tamariki through supporting all of our children to become better learners. Knowing how they learn, and supporting them in exercising their learning muscles is crucial if children are to be confident and competent life long learners in the 21st century.

What makes our kindergarten special?

• Focus on relationships and developing a sense of belonging
• Close relationship with our neigbouring school
• A strong transition to school programme
• A diverse, multi-cultural community
• A friendly, qualified team who are passionate about teaching and learning
• A stunning outdoor natural environment

At Busy Bees Papamoa Beach, we value every child and see them as unique and a special taonga. We understand that your child’s education and care is a priority and that choosing the right centre can be a big decision. We would be delighted to share in your child’s learning journey. You’re welcome to call or visit anytime.

We are open 7.30am - 5.30pm Monday to Friday.

Our Environment

Our centre is located just moments away from Papamoa Beach – sometimes we can even hear the waves crashing as they roll into the shore! Our kaiako place a strong emphasis on building a sense of community among our tamariki and centre whānau. Every Friday, we have a special tradition where we come together in the ‘Hive’ as a centre to have some fun and celebrate recent events. We believe it's vital for our tamariki and kaiako to feel connected and supported by their peers.

Rooms:

The Nest 0-2 years | In our Nest space when a child first joins our room, they are given the opportunity to choose the teacher they feel most comfortable with to settle them in. We ensure that all teachers support the child in their settling-in process and mirror each other's approaches to avoid any confusion for the child when their main teacher may not be in centre. We maintain an open partnership with parents and focus our approach with a ‘daycare’ lens of providing opportunities for messy, gloopy fun. We believe in providing our youngest tamariki with opportunities to explore their natural interests through messy play and art activities, as it’s important that our youngest tamariki have access to similar materials as our older children to prepare them for their progression into our older space.

The Hive 2-4 years | At our centre, we focus on cause-and-effect activities that help children develop their social and emotional skills, teaching them how to work together effectively. Our curriculum is designed to be child-led, and we set individual development plans based on their current interests and fostering curiosity. We prepare activities that are tailored to their needs and abilities.

The Bumblebees 4-5 years | In our Bumblebees room we provide tamariki with a space where they can have autonomy over their activities, allowing them to choose what they want to participate in and when they want to do it. We also organise excursions that help support their pre-literacy skills for school, allowing them to pursue activities that interest them. We focus on teaching self-help skills and accountability for belongings, creating a mini primary school experience that is not forced but rather promotes independence and responsibility all whilst having fun!

BestStart Parton Road is a great choice for families needing childcare in Papamoa Beach. We care for children from 0 to 5 years old and are open all year round. Our play-based approach to learning is engaging and fun and helps children learn new skills and make sense of the world around them in a way that really connects to their experiences.

Where Play Leads the Way

Explore, discover create, imagine and play.

At BestStart Parton Road children learn through play in our engaging environment designed for exploration and developing an understanding of the world around them.

Let’s Play! At BestStart Parton Rd play is not only our creative drive, it is also a fundamental mode of learning.  We offer a range of play-based experiences that allow children to explore and discover their interests, problem solve, make decisions and learn how to interact with the world around them. 

Let’s Pretend! When children say “let’s pretend” a new world of possibilities for learning is revealed. They try on new feelings, roles and ideas.  A stick can be a magic wand, a sock can be a puppet, and a small child can be a superhero.  They stretch their minds along with their imaginations.  Learning is their journey and we let them navigate it. Let’s Adventure –We have an amazing natural space just across the road from us with trees and bushes the children love to explore. A favourite pastime is searching for bugs and insects. We also go on regular walks to the beach, it’s only 500 metres up the road after all! We collect shells and driftwood to make ephemeral art and to incorporate into our imaginative play. Each term children in the Pohutukawa Room have the opportunity to take part in weekly swimming lessons at the local swim school. It’s always a great adventure when we walk there and back again, not to mention the excitement of getting in the pool and learning water skills to keep ourselves safe.

Let’s get ready for school! – Our curriculum is rich with literacy, maths and self-help skills which helps our children feel more confident when starting school. We are building our relationships with the local primary schools where we will visit with our older children to help familiarise themselves with the school environment.

We have three learning rooms catering to the changing needs for our children as they grow and develop their skills.  

Who is BestStart?

BestStart is for families who want more from early-childhood education. Safe, nurturing and educationally focused, we’re committed to growing caring people with curious minds.

Together we teach, learn and nurture.

Our vision is to work in partnership with families, whanau and communities to enable children to achieve their learning potential.

Ko tō mātou tirohanga hei mahi ngātahi i te taha o ngā whānau me ngā hāpori, kia āwhinatia ngā tamariki, kia tū pito mata ai rāatou, hei rangatira mō āpōpō.

We are committed to being a progressive and responsive leader in early-childhood education. We do this by enhancing our services, investing in our people, developing our support structure and continuously improving the educational outcomes and experiences of our children, families and the communities we serve.

Some facts:

• We’re licensed to educate and care for 15,000 full-time children daily.
• 18,000 families use BestStart services annually.
• We have over 270 centres nationwide located from Whangarei to Invercargill.
• Each centre is managed by a Centre Manager who is supported by a local Area Manager. This gives our centre teams ongoing quality training and support.
• Te Whāriki, the world-wide acclaimed national early childhood education curriculum, is used in all centres.
• We have over 4500 permanent teachers nationally. Over 90% of our permanent teaching staff are either fully qualified with a diploma or bachelor of teaching (ECE) or higher, or are in training. These figures are very high by national standards within the ECE sector.
• We provide a two-year Advice and Guidance Programme for all recently certified teachers, providing further mentoring and training. This gives strong support for teachers from provisional registration to full teacher registration with the NZ Teachers Council.
• We regularly spend around $4 million on teacher training per annum.

We’re for children

At our heart is our commitment and passion for children. Central to this belief is our focus on the holistic development of children. We support children to explore the world around them, learning through relationships, creating a love of learning in an ever-changing world. Exploration, friendship and fun are part of the journey.

We’re for good

BestStart is a registered charity owned by the Wright Family Foundation. We support initiatives and programmes within BestStart and the wider early-childhood education sector (ECE) that support good outcomes for all children. We do this because we want to make a positive difference to the lives of all children.

Innovation leads us

At BestStart, innovation guides our thinking. We advocate positive change for learners through our research and practice. We’re proud to be thought leaders within ECE, openly challenging ourselves to think differently to provide the best for our children, families and staff.

We’re responsive

Our centres reflect their children, staff and communities. We celebrate individuality, uniqueness and diversity, encouraging a spirit of empathy, understanding and collaboration. Through our responsive relationships and our curriculum, we support learners to choose their own path.

Our people matter

At BestStart people come first. When we grow and develop our people, everyone benefits. We strive for whakamana/empowerment, nurturing a culture of excellence with engaged, talented professionals. Their commitment, skill and passion light our way.

At BestStart Palm Springs, we’ll let your child take risks, get their hands dirty and let their curiosity take over. We welcome children from 0-6 years old and are open all year, only closing for public holidays.

Learn through discovery! 

Every Monday, our Pacific Explorers embark on a new adventure. During every adventure, you can be sure your child will learn through discovery. From conquering the sand dunes and learning about sea life to picnic lunches on the soft sands of Papamoa Beach.

Our latest adventure took us on a stroll past the shops and through the walkway to the beautiful sand dunes. We made big sand castles, looked at books full of sea life, played frisbee, had running races and sat down for a cookie and a chat.

In our playground, you’ll find our “shell shack” which houses all the treasure our explorers find on their beach adventures. From driftwood to interesting shells, we bring our treasure back to the centre so our explorers can investigate more.

Our infant, toddler and preschool rooms draw their names from the local Mangatawa legend of The Three Whales.

Our Hikurangi room caters to our littlest explorers. They love to look, touch and taste new things and to explore the world around them. Our teachers help nurture their curiosity and maintain their routines, while making special time for lots of cuddles and smiles. As your baby grows and develops their milestones, our teachers will share these special moments for you and your whānau to treasure.

You’ll see the toddlers in our Mangatawa room exploring! They are curious; wanting to find out about the world around them, sometimes without help. They’ll try everything and they’ll get messy, sitting in water and sand sometimes. While exploring with us, your toddler will start to find their voice in a group and learn skills like turn-taking. You can trust that our teachers will be playing alongside your toddler as they learn and give things a go, and we’ll be sure to give out lots of cuddles when they need them.

Just like Kopukairoa, the pre-schoolers in our centre are becoming more independent. At this age learning is all about risk taking and sense making. Our teachers will take your explorer on adventures in the community where they’ll be able to investigate things they’re interested in. We’ll help them get along with others, test out their ideas and find answers to their thousands of questions. While exploring, your child will get introduced to the arts, science, maths and be encouraged to take responsibility for their belongings. At BestStart Palm Springs, your child will grow in confidence and be comfortable trying new things as they prepare for the next step in their learning adventure.

We have a Gold Healthy Heart award so you know the snacks and cooked lunches we provide are packed with nutrition to fuel your little explorer. We’re so passionate about teaching our children about recycling, reusing and composting that we’ve been working with Tauranga City Council to complete stage 4 of the Resource Wise Schools Programme.

Alongside our weekly adventures, we offer swimming lessons at Barlett’s Swim School to help your child become confident around water. The Tauranga City Council Library bus visits us fortnightly to share new books which help us plan our next adventures. We know our parents have busy lifestyles so we also offer gymnastics and ballet lessons right here at BestStart Palm Springs.

We know you and your little explorer will love your time with us. We’d love to meet you so pop in for a visit and start your child’s learning adventure with us.

Who is BestStart?

BestStart is for families who want more from early-childhood education. Safe, nurturing and educationally focused, we’re committed to growing caring people with curious minds.

Together we teach, learn and nurture.

Our vision is to work in partnership with families, whanau and communities to enable children to achieve their learning potential.

Ko tō mātou tirohanga hei mahi ngātahi i te taha o ngā whānau me ngā hāpori, kia āwhinatia ngā tamariki, kia tū pito mata ai rāatou, hei rangatira mō āpōpō.

We are committed to being a progressive and responsive leader in early-childhood education. We do this by enhancing our services, investing in our people, developing our support structure and continuously improving the educational outcomes and experiences of our children, families and the communities we serve.

Some facts:

• We’re licensed to educate and care for 15,000 full-time children daily.
• 18,000 families use BestStart services annually.
• We have over 270 centres nationwide located from Whangarei to Invercargill.
• Each centre is managed by a Centre Manager who is supported by a local Area Manager. This gives our centre teams ongoing quality training and support.
• Te Whāriki, the world-wide acclaimed national early childhood education curriculum, is used in all centres.
• We have over 4500 permanent teachers nationally. Over 90% of our permanent teaching staff are either fully qualified with a diploma or bachelor of teaching (ECE) or higher, or are in training. These figures are very high by national standards within the ECE sector.
• We provide a two-year Advice and Guidance Programme for all recently certified teachers, providing further mentoring and training. This gives strong support for teachers from provisional registration to full teacher registration with the NZ Teachers Council.
• We regularly spend around $4 million on teacher training per annum.

We’re for children

At our heart is our commitment and passion for children. Central to this belief is our focus on the holistic development of children. We support children to explore the world around them, learning through relationships, creating a love of learning in an ever-changing world. Exploration, friendship and fun are part of the journey.

We’re for good

BestStart is a registered charity owned by the Wright Family Foundation. We support initiatives and programmes within BestStart and the wider early-childhood education sector (ECE) that support good outcomes for all children. We do this because we want to make a positive difference to the lives of all children.

Innovation leads us

At BestStart, innovation guides our thinking. We advocate positive change for learners through our research and practice. We’re proud to be thought leaders within ECE, openly challenging ourselves to think differently to provide the best for our children, families and staff.

We’re responsive

Our centres reflect their children, staff and communities. We celebrate individuality, uniqueness and diversity, encouraging a spirit of empathy, understanding and collaboration. Through our responsive relationships and our curriculum, we support learners to choose their own path.

Our people matter

At BestStart people come first. When we grow and develop our people, everyone benefits. We strive for whakamana/empowerment, nurturing a culture of excellence with engaged, talented professionals. Their commitment, skill and passion light our way.

BestStart Papamoa Plaza is a new early learning centre in Papamoa Plaza providing quality education and care for children aged between 3 months to 6 years old. Part of the award winning BestStart family, voted Most Trusted childcare provider, we’re open from 7am to 6pm weekdays - only closing for public holidays - we also provide nutritious food everyday for all our children.

Growing Young Kaitiaki

At BestStart Papamoa Plaza we empower our tamariki to become kaitiaki/guardians of our environment with genuine Manaakitanga relationships.

Our environment is a place of beauty both inside and out. Our learning spaces are enriched with love and the atmosphere is calm and nurturing. Our indoor spaces are built to support the learning and development of every age group with high quality resources designed to spark curious minds. We have an expansive outdoor playground where children challenge themselves, building their independence and self-confidence. 

Learning through nature - We foster the innate tendency children have to seek connections with nature and other forms of life. This happens through taking learning out of the classroom, re-introducing the outdoors whilst enhancing all areas of their development through a natural discovery approach.

Exploration - Children enjoy the freedom of leading their own learning, exploring and discovering uninhibited in our environment. Children learn most effectively when they are connecting deeply with nature through play experiences. This is about creating interactions with people and the places where they play, being a kaitiaki of the land, learning to care for nature and the world in which we live.

Connection to nature - The concept of sustainability is introduced through experiential learning. Being outdoors in a natural setting enables children to develop a connection with the natural world that can lead to long-term environmental awareness and understanding as well as positive outcomes for their developing views of the world.

Our Centre Whakatauki

Ko au te whenua, ko te whenua, ko au. I am the whenua, the whenua is me. The land defines my quality of life. Land is our place to stand, our tūrangawaewae, and it is what makes Aotearoa New Zealand home

Our 0-2 year olds The nursery provides a calm, safe and inviting play space which empowers the children to be who they are. By offering the children space, time, and the support to be themselves they learn to explore and discover the world in their own unique way. We use effective respectful communication to encourage positive interactions and talk to children throughout the day during activities and transition times to reassure and help them.

Our 2-5 year olds Our children are respected and trusted for their inner potential and celebrated for who they are and where they have come from. They are valued for their meaningful work and purposeful child-led play – being active participants in their own learning journey. Our children are celebrated and respected for their capacity to investigate, explore and maintain curiosity in the world around them. We offer BestStart’s Be School Ready initiative for our preschool children, which is incorporated into everyday practice, assisting with the next step in their learning journey. The initiative encourages children to use their developing self-help skills and provides a range of opportunities to extend their independence.

Our teachers work alongside children and remain true to their role of nurturing, encouraging and inspiring the holistic development of all children. Our teachers thrive through their respectful engagement with children, sharing and celebrating in their moments of unplanned, unexpected and unlimited experiences. 

Who is BestStart?

BestStart is for families who want more from early-childhood education. Safe, nurturing and educationally focused, we’re committed to growing caring people with curious minds.

Together we teach, learn and nurture.

Our vision is to work in partnership with families, whanau and communities to enable children to achieve their learning potential.

Ko tō mātou tirohanga hei mahi ngātahi i te taha o ngā whānau me ngā hāpori, kia āwhinatia ngā tamariki, kia tū pito mata ai rāatou, hei rangatira mō āpōpō.

We are committed to being a progressive and responsive leader in early-childhood education. We do this by enhancing our services, investing in our people, developing our support structure and continuously improving the educational outcomes and experiences of our children, families and the communities we serve.

Some facts:

• We’re licensed to educate and care for 15,000 full-time children daily.
• 18,000 families use BestStart services annually.
• We have over 270 centres nationwide located from Whangarei to Invercargill.
• Each centre is managed by a Centre Manager who is supported by a local Area Manager. This gives our centre teams ongoing quality training and support.
• Te Whāriki, the world-wide acclaimed national early childhood education curriculum, is used in all centres.
• We have over 4500 permanent teachers nationally. Over 90% of our permanent teaching staff are either fully qualified with a diploma or bachelor of teaching (ECE) or higher, or are in training. These figures are very high by national standards within the ECE sector.
• We provide a two-year Advice and Guidance Programme for all recently certified teachers, providing further mentoring and training. This gives strong support for teachers from provisional registration to full teacher registration with the NZ Teachers Council.
• We regularly spend around $4 million on teacher training per annum.

We’re for children

At our heart is our commitment and passion for children. Central to this belief is our focus on the holistic development of children. We support children to explore the world around them, learning through relationships, creating a love of learning in an ever-changing world. Exploration, friendship and fun are part of the journey.

We’re for good

BestStart is a registered charity owned by the Wright Family Foundation. We support initiatives and programmes within BestStart and the wider early-childhood education sector (ECE) that support good outcomes for all children. We do this because we want to make a positive difference to the lives of all children.

Innovation leads us

At BestStart, innovation guides our thinking. We advocate positive change for learners through our research and practice. We’re proud to be thought leaders within ECE, openly challenging ourselves to think differently to provide the best for our children, families and staff.

We’re responsive

Our centres reflect their children, staff and communities. We celebrate individuality, uniqueness and diversity, encouraging a spirit of empathy, understanding and collaboration. Through our responsive relationships and our curriculum, we support learners to choose their own path.

Our people matter

At BestStart people come first. When we grow and develop our people, everyone benefits. We strive for whakamana/empowerment, nurturing a culture of excellence with engaged, talented professionals. Their commitment, skill and passion light our way.

At BestStart Doncaster Drive Kindy we love to see our children soar, to find their wings, to reach beyond the clouds and to know they are surrounded by encouragement, support and love! We offer a range of full and part-time spaces for children aged 2-5 years old and are open from 8am to 4.30pm right through the year, only closing for public holidays.

Step Boldly! Leap High! Soar Freely!

Our vision embraces the important journey of learning, looking not only at the outcomes, but celebrating all the exciting and important steps along the way.

At Doncaster Drive Kindy we are excited about learning! Our passion lies in nurturing our children’s natural curiosity about the world around them…….a world of unlimited, exciting opportunities and possibilities. We recognise that learning occurs in stages, through active ‘hands on’ exploration and that we, as teachers and parents collectively play an important role as facilitators, guides and supporters.

How do we learn?

Our curriculum: Our curriculum gives careful, caring consideration to children’s interests and the specific way they learn through play.  Therefore, we have created a stimulating environment with specifically designed learning spaces that entice discovery and add depth to learning possibilities. 

Our environment: We are blessed to live in an amazing coastal area and this is reflected within a beautiful learning environment that embraces links to our beach community and surrounding whenua. We also view our community as an extension of our learning environment! This is where our children live, where they play and have extended relationships, so it makes perfect sense that we embrace and celebrate the unlimited learning potential of community connections, knowledge, and spirit.

Our teachers: As teachers we see the potential in each child and believe that this is something to cherish, nurture and grow. One day our children will the ‘movers and shakers’ of their world, therefore the role we play in building their self confidence and sparking a love of learning is a fundamentally important one. Here we engage in trusting relationships that are built on respect, love, compassion and fun. Our teaching revolves around growing the ‘mana’ of the child, building their spirit, nurturing their dreams and empowering them to ‘Step boldly, leap high, and soar freely'.

What do we learn?

Relationships - Social Connections: It's important our children feel safe, secure, supported and loved. Our teachers lead by example, showing love, empathy, consideration and compassion for others. We guide children through role modelling, supporting them to learn important dispositions, skills and attitudes so they can have positive, respectful interactions with their peers and build amazing friendships. Being part of such a special place supports a connectedness to each and our surrounding environment. Our children learn about kaitiakitanga, guardianship, where they develop a sense of ownership and responsibility for our environment, community garden and each other.

Independence: All children are naturally curious and inquisitive!  They love to explore, try new experiences, gather knowledge and take on challenges. Here at Doncaster Kindy, challenges are seen as exciting opportunities to explore, learn, grow and we love the sense of achievement and pride that children’s independence brings. 

Sense of belonging – Culture: Every child deserves a place where they can be themselves and be proud of who they are and where they come from.  We celebrate our children’s individuality, embracing diversity, nurturing a positive awareness of their own culture and developing strong respect for the culture, values and beliefs of others. Our children feel a strong sense of belonging, this is ‘their’ place, a safe place where everyone is accepted for who they are.

Communication: We believe all children are precious individuals who have an important voice!  We absolutely love listening to our children share their ideas, understanding, knowledge and we thrive on engaging in conversations that support our children in becoming confident and capable communicators.

Inquiry learning: We are passionate about inspiring our children to become motivated explorers and discoverers!  Our children have endless questions about the world around them, they are confident researchers, who gather knowledge, share their own ideas and, simply, love to learn.

What can you expect from our centre?

• A team who puts the children at the heart of everything we do.
• A solid and experienced team (over 30 years of experience) who have worked together for many years.
• A commitment to building strong, collaborative and trusting relationships where you have an important ‘voice’.
• A happy, friendly and welcoming team who values your aspirations and dreams for child’s future.
• Whanaungatanga, Manaakitanga and Aroha!
• Acceptance for all and a celebration of diversity
• A lovely environment where children can explore and learn at their own pace.

Come and see our beautiful centre, meet our amazing team and be part of something extremely special!

Who is BestStart?

BestStart is for families who want more from early-childhood education. Safe, nurturing and educationally focused, we’re committed to growing caring people with curious minds.

Together we teach, learn and nurture.

Our vision is to work in partnership with families, whanau and communities to enable children to achieve their learning potential.

Ko tō mātou tirohanga hei mahi ngātahi i te taha o ngā whānau me ngā hāpori, kia āwhinatia ngā tamariki, kia tū pito mata ai rāatou, hei rangatira mō āpōpō.

We are committed to being a progressive and responsive leader in early-childhood education. We do this by enhancing our services, investing in our people, developing our support structure and continuously improving the educational outcomes and experiences of our children, families and the communities we serve.

Some facts:

• We’re licensed to educate and care for 15,000 full-time children daily.
• 18,000 families use BestStart services annually.
• We have over 270 centres nationwide located from Whangarei to Invercargill.
• Each centre is managed by a Centre Manager who is supported by a local Area Manager. This gives our centre teams ongoing quality training and support.
• Te Whāriki, the world-wide acclaimed national early childhood education curriculum, is used in all centres.
• We have over 4500 permanent teachers nationally. Over 90% of our permanent teaching staff are either fully qualified with a diploma or bachelor of teaching (ECE) or higher, or are in training. These figures are very high by national standards within the ECE sector.
• We provide a two-year Advice and Guidance Programme for all recently certified teachers, providing further mentoring and training. This gives strong support for teachers from provisional registration to full teacher registration with the NZ Teachers Council.
• We regularly spend around $4 million on teacher training per annum.

We’re for children

At our heart is our commitment and passion for children. Central to this belief is our focus on the holistic development of children. We support children to explore the world around them, learning through relationships, creating a love of learning in an ever-changing world. Exploration, friendship and fun are part of the journey.

We’re for good

BestStart is a registered charity owned by the Wright Family Foundation. We support initiatives and programmes within BestStart and the wider early-childhood education sector (ECE) that support good outcomes for all children. We do this because we want to make a positive difference to the lives of all children.

Innovation leads us

At BestStart, innovation guides our thinking. We advocate positive change for learners through our research and practice. We’re proud to be thought leaders within ECE, openly challenging ourselves to think differently to provide the best for our children, families and staff.

We’re responsive

Our centres reflect their children, staff and communities. We celebrate individuality, uniqueness and diversity, encouraging a spirit of empathy, understanding and collaboration. Through our responsive relationships and our curriculum, we support learners to choose their own path.

Our people matter

At BestStart people come first. When we grow and develop our people, everyone benefits. We strive for whakamana/empowerment, nurturing a culture of excellence with engaged, talented professionals. Their commitment, skill and passion light our way.

Papamoa Coast Kindergarten

Welcome to Papamoa Coast Kindergarten

Mā te aroha ka puāwai ngā tamariki | From love, children will blossom

Kia ora and welcome to Papamoa Coast Kindergarten! We are set in beautiful, natural and spacious grounds in the heart of Papamoa. We have been here for nearly twenty years and families love our relaxed, calm environment where children learn through exploration and play. Our fully qualified, experienced teachers ensure that all familes and whānau are welcomed, cared for and included.

We are a Green Gold Enviro School and children are actively involved in sustainability and caring for Papatuanuku (our earth). We have strong relationships with our local schools and this supports children’s transition to school.

What makes our kindergarten special?

• 100% qualified registered and fun teaching team
• A beautiful outdoor natural space with plenty of activities
• Relaxed calm environment where children learn through play
• Well established - in Papamoa for 20 years
• Proud to be an Enviroschool and winner of the Enviro Schools Green-Gold Award
• Strong connections to all families and whanau
• Relationships with local schools supports transition
• A strong focus on empowering children

Future Focus Terrace View believes in freedom of learning through curiosity and exploration, embracing our environment with the diverse cultures of our families. Through active, intentional learning our team models co-operation, empathy, and communication guiding each child in their exploration of the world.

We strive to extend the imaginations of our Tamariki with growth opportunities, a fundamental steppingstone in their learning journey, guiding them to a fun filled future.

Why choose us?

There are a host of reasons why families choose Lollipops Papamoa. Here are just a few of them:

• Small and welcoming boutique-style centre
• Small group size for Under 2’s, with a maximum of eight kids
• Easy access/entry into centre from the main road
• Healthy Heart meals provided
• Part of the Resource Wise schools programme
• Our whanau teacher approach fosters strong relationships with children and families
• Passionate teachers who love what they do
• Great facilities
• Lots of fun activities including gymnastics
• Children love our pet rabbits
• Strong community focus

In the heart of Papamoa, Future Focus is your place to belong. Our team strives for success with intentional child-led learning being the cornerstone of our work. Our team are supported to design different experiences based on the interests of each child enabling them to guide their own learning.

We believe children flourish when they are in control of what they learn providing opportunities to grow emotionally, socially, and creatively.

Welcome to Wairakei Kindergarten.

Our kindergarten was purpose built in 2015 reflecting the coastal feel of Papamoa Beach.

We have a natural outdoor environment that encourages risk taking. Our intention is that Wairakei Kindergarten will be a place of community where each member feels valued as a unique individual, in a culture of respect.  Children, families, team members and the wider community will feel a sense of belonging and find long lasting friendships in a warm, responsive environment.

Our philosophy supports an inquiry based, collaborative environment fostering learning dispositions. Our bicultural curriculum underpins the teaching and learning at Wairakei.

What makes our kindergarten special?

• We are an integrated service providing playgroups from birth to kindergrten entry
• We value partnership with whanau
• We are committed to being engaged in our community
• We value our relationship with our neighbouring schools
• Current research informs our practice
• Children are at the heart of all that we do

Often described as a mini wonderland, our landscaped gardens and open green space (3764 sqm) create an environment where children can let their imaginations run free. Our wooden pirate ship, bike track, multiple playhouses, sandpits, slides, mini picnic tables, carpentry and sports area and large covered deck provides plenty of space to grow, play and explore.  

 We have runner bikes, paint easels, hula hoops and other equipment on hand, and older children are encouraged to plant and harvest fresh vegetables and herbs from our raised garden beds. Our centre also has two darling bunny rabbits who receive plenty of love, attention and pats from little hands.  

 Our premises are securely fenced and our security features ensure only parents or approved caregivers are able to walk in the front door. Our foyer sets the tone for our whole centre – where our large kings and queens throne, butterfly wall and homely kitchen are matched only by the heart and enthusiasm of our beautiful, qualified staff team.  

Our philosophy

Bloom is devoted to providing the highest quality of care and education for little people in their early years. We believe that all little ones should feel connected, understood, loved and supported during their learning journey and will experience joy and happiness while in our care.

Family traditions and respectful relationships are at the heart of everything we do, influencing everything from nap time to nourishment. Through nurturing and caring relationships as well as fun interactions with each other, our little ones (and big ones) are taught to respect the environment and their friends. Whanau goals and aspirations for children are very important to us. Family members are encouraged to share these with us so that we can provide opportunities to enhance the learning of our children.

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Welcome to Waiapu Kids St Mary’s Tahatai

Waiapu Kids St Mary’s Tahatai is a community based, early childhood centre and service of Anglican Care Waiapu.  We provide quality care and education for up to 32 children in a mixed age group setting.

The concepts of ‘tuakana – teina’ and ako are strongly valued at the centre. This is seen in the respectful and reciprocal relationships between teachers, our older tamariki and our younger tamariki as they learn together. Children are encouraged to interact and learn from each other in a safe environment.

We value children’s play as the way in which they learn about the world around them.  Different activities and opportunities are provided for children each day to extend their interests, develop social, emotional and cognitive skills, and build self-confidence and creativity.

Based in Papamoa, we have a strong relationship with our community and enjoy taking part in events and going out to our community.

Philosophy

All Waiapu Kids services incorporate the following philosophy into our practice and teaching:

Respect is at the heart of our teaching practice and is integrated daily in our curriculum. This is seen in our relationships with whānau, tamariki, our community, and our environment, and strengthened by our Christian values and teaching practice.

We promote children to learn and grow within a caring stable environment, incorporating Christian principles and the Anglican ethos of care, respect and equity.

Te Kōhanga Reo

The kōhanga reo movement is a unique initiative based on total immersion in Māori language and values with the aim of passing on Māori culture to future generations.

Kōhanga reo emphasise the revitalisation of the culture through te reo Māori and are dependent on the active participation of the whole whānau. The kaupapa of kōhanga reo aims to strengthen whānau capabilities in cultural, social, economic, spiritual and political matters. Education, health and wellbeing are inherent within all aspects of the kaupapa. The prime focus is the whānau – its collective development, growth, accountability and wellbeing set within a Māori cultural context.

Kōhanga reo do not regard tamariki in isolation, but as important members of the whānau. The kōhanga reo philosophy is that tamariki will benefit when whānau successfully operate according to the kaupapa. Tamariki are an integral part of whānau development.

The following key goals are the foundation of te kōhanga reo kaupapa established in 1982:

• total immersion in te reo Māori me ōna tikanga in daily operations
• whānau decision-making, management and responsibility
• accountability
• health and wellbeing of mokopuna and whānau.

The key goals of te kōhanga reo assure that there will be:

• security in te reo Māori
• a supportive, caring environment for mokopuna
• whānau (collective) sharing of responsibilities, knowledge and expertise
• greater respect and appreciation of each other.

Our play-based program allows children to be the director of their own story! Where they are given the freedom to explore, learn and develop at their own pace.

We like to think of ourselves as one big family. We encourage our parents and extended whanau to be involved in our program when and where they can. Our focus of love, care and kindness for each other promotes empathy, comradeship, unity and understanding.

Nature plays a huge part in our program. We are big lovers of our beautiful planet, the living world and the community around us. We spend our days caring and respecting the natural and living world, and provide an abundance of natural and re-purposed materials in our centre setting.

We don’t hang around preschool all day! We love to explore our local community from eeling and learning about nature, to spending time at the beach and participating in our community gardens. Our little family loves to get out and about and make the most of what every day has to offer.

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Welcome to Childs Wonder a beautiful privately-owned centre in the heart of Papamoa.

We are a small child centred preschool with a warm, nurturing and beautiful space for your children aged 4 months to 5 years.

At Childs Wonder we will empower your child to learn and grow through their own curiosity and sense of wonder.

Our onsite chef will prepare daily nutritious meals to fill their little bellies.

Our wonderful team of qualified and experienced teachers are committed to ongoing professional development and the progression of ECE to provide the highest quality programme for your family.

Nau Mai Haere Mai

Papamoa Playcentre is an amazingly vibrant, busy and supportive centre in the heart of Papamoa. We are a stones throw from the golden sandy shores of Papamoa Beach and right across the road from Papamoa Primary School. 

Our members are a diverse mix of nationalities that collectively bring a huge range of talents and skills that help to run our thriving centre. Our members are actively involved in the management of the centre and enjoy taking part in the Adult Education programme.

We regularly hold Whanau orientated social events such as Matariki celebrations, Christmas celebrations, and fundraisers. 

We almost always have full rolls and a continuous stream of local visiting mums, dads and grandparents eager to become part of the special community we have created at our centre. So don’t hesitate to visit us if you are thinking about joining a Playcentre. Our doors are always open to new Whanau that are keen to be part of their child’s learning and take part in the special vibe of Papamoa Playcentre.

Beginnings & Beyond Quality Preschool is an early childhood centre located in the sunny suburb of Papamoa Beach.

We strive to provide an environment that allows tamariki opportunities to experiment and explore, follow their interests, be creative, curious and lead their own learning. 

Our dedicated educators have a strong passion for weaving Te Ao māori me o nga Tikanga māori naturally into their practices. We believe in working in partnership with families and whanau to ensure language, culture and identity are fostered.

Throughout our curriculum we create opportunities to get out in our community, from exploring our local parks and reserves, to visiting our local library/shops and community garden. We also enjoy special trips to the beach, local marae and if our tamariki have special interests' we strive to visit places in our community that will extend their learning.

​We have both qualified and experienced educators who have a passion for working with and alongside tamariki. We have a strong belief in tuakana/teina recognising the value of ako and fostering  relationships between Kaiako and tamariki creating a natural whanau environment.

Our Mission Statement

We aim to provide a stimulating and enriching environment that empowers all akonga; tamariki, kaiako, whanau and community in their own individual way.

Our Vision

To make a positive influence on the mana of every child/tamaiti in terms of their growth and development to ‘eke angitu’ achieve success.